How to find the right foundation for my skin type – it may feel like a lifelong struggle for many of us. There are so many different shades and solutions that differ depending on the brand, it can be hard to know how to find your perfect match.

Well never fear! We are here to make finding the right coverage for your skin (or your beauty salon clients’) a walk in the park. 

Getting to know the skin you’re in

Knowing how to find the best makeup for your skin type starts from the source – you gotta get to know that beautiful skin that you’re in! 

Our skin is our biggest organ, protecting us from the outside elements and shielding our bones and internal systems from harm. It does so much for us, so it makes sense that we should show it the same respect. This is the most important step on your voyage of coverage discovery!

Everyone’s skin is entirely unique to them; shade, texture, sensitivity – our skin does its own thing, and so working with it rather than against it will always result in your favour.

When it comes to beauty products, our skin can often be categorised into three main sectors: 

• Dry
• Oily
• Combination 

The clues are in the name: dry skin is prone to needing products with higher moisture content, oily skin types will perhaps need products that help to eliminate excess oil production, whilst combination skin types can suffer from both ailments at different points. 

Different things can trigger our skin to flare up or become more sensitive. Hormonal changes, stress or lifestyle and habit changes can all have an effect on our skin, and so finding the right base products to care for our skin before committing to makeup is vital. 

Australian Skin Institute outlines a clear guide to help you find your skin type. It may also be worth considering visiting a dermatologist or makeup specialist to get a clear picture of how your skin works and what it needs.

Finding your shade

Colour matching services have become very popular in recent years, with brands like No7 and L’Oreal becoming known for colour matching products. 

There are many colour-matching charts and guides online – and most makeup brands will have one on their website. While these are good indicators to start with, we would still recommend visiting a makeup specialist, or even one of the makeup counters in your local shopping mall, for an in-person consultation and colour match service.

There are more and more brands emerging that tailor specifically to certain skin types and shades that perhaps aren’t represented as much in high street brands. Makeup for very pale skin types and makeup for darker skin types has started to become more accessible, working to create greater inclusivity in the beauty industry and celebrating every beautiful shade of skin.

Finding your finish

There are varying degrees of coverage in today’s market, and so deciding on whether you want light or medium to heavy coverage has never been easier. 

We would recommend that those looking for a lighter, more natural look for everyday use might go for a tinted moisturiser, BB or CC cream, or maybe a sheer coverage foundation. 

These products are great for those who are starting to explore using makeup or who want to build an everyday look that doesn’t feel too heavy.

As well as degrees of coverage, there are also different effect foundations. A more sheer or translucent foundation or cream tends to enhance your natural skin, brightening rather than covering up too much. 

Higher coverage foundations can be tricky at times due to their higher pigmentation, meaning that finding the perfect shade for your skin is highly recommended. 

However, once you find that perfect shade, the doors open up to a multitude of creative possibilities. With seamless matte looks keeping you shine-free all night, and dewy, high-shine foundations and hydrating formulas illuminating faces and creating fresh ‘barely there’ looks whilst still supplying good coverage. 

Some of our favourites

We’ve put together a short list of some of our favourite makeup products for each skin type to get you started on your quest for perfect coverage:

Makeup for dry skin:

• Giorgio Armani Fluid Silk
• NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
• Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear
• La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20

Makeup for oily skin:

• Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup
• M.A.C Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation
• bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation
• L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Matte Cover Foundation

Makeup for combination skin:

• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
• Revlon ColourStay 24-Hour Longwear Makeup Combination/Oily Skin Foundation
• Clinique Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup SPF 15 Foundation
• Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15

Makeup for blemishes:

• Clinique Beyond Perfecting Powder Foundation and Concealer
• Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10 Foundation
• Zoeva Authentik Skin Foundation
• Sephora Collection Matte Perfection Powder Foundation

Has this conversation about coverage sparked your interest? Have you perhaps considered a career as a makeup artist? 

Makeup artistry is an extremely popular and in-demand industry. There will always be a demand for those skilled with a brush – whether you choose to work for a brand or build your own beauty business from the ground up, this rewarding and highly sociable career will make you the fairy godmother of someone’s special day!

But how do I get there, we hear you ask. Well, the answer is simple! 

Here at Australian Beauty School, we have an expert range of online beauty courses to kickstart your happily ever after. Our Certificate in Professional Makeup Artistry is the perfect way to gather the skills and tools you will need to flourish in the beauty industry. Our online learning system means that you can learn and practise your craft from the comfort of your own home. And with your very own custom-designed beauty kit delivered straight to your door, you will have everything at your disposal to make your dreams come true. 

Our courses come with a downloadable brochure with further details about course content, module breakdowns, how to access your learning online and tutor support. We also offer course fee payment plans to make investing in your future all the easier. We’d love to hear from you so get in touch if you have any queries or questions about the courses and how we work.

Enrol in one of our beauty courses today and be the writer of your own fairytale.